Everytime I see that image I think "You can see the words 'I am farking insane' written on his forehead". Sure, follow the crazy fun old guy but when he tells you to take a hedge trimmer to your wedding tackle it's probably time to back the hell away.

Nope. Nobody is close to being as relevant as NASA and while that might change sometime in the future with our lack of willingness to fund our space agency, we aren't there yet. Europe has Mars Express, Venus Express, and Rosetta beyond low earth orbit. Meanwhile NASA has Curiosity Rover, Opportunity Rover, MESSENGER, MRO, LRO, LADEE, New Horizon, Juno, Cassini, Dawn, Voyager 1 & 2, ARTEMIS P1/P2. Here is the full list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Solar_System_probes Also , its OK that other space agencies are doing science in space. Its not a competition and the more science the better in my opinion. At the moment though, only NASA, ESA, and China are exploring beyond low earth orbit.

Nope. Nobody is close to being as relevant as NASA and while that might change sometime in the future with our lack of willingness to fund our space agency

You want to complain about this administration's rape of NASA, I'm right there with you.

Europe hasMars Express,Venus Express,Rosetta Will land on a comet! Beating NASA.

NASA has Curiosity Rover shorting like a mo-fo. Hopefully fixed, likely just fixed "for now"Opportunity Rover Left over from NASA's death throwsMESSENGERLRO proudly taking pictures of where NASA was able to put people back in the 60's and 70'sMRO To take pictures of where we've had several 'bots' before, and basicly duplicating the ESA's Mars Express orbiter. This is LRO all over again, with a bigger push.LADEE Orbiting the moom. Such progressNew Horizon I'll give you this one. Voters were able to save this from NASA cutbacks and I'm truely looking forward to it reaching its destination.Juno More been there done there stuff. We've had cameras here beforeCassini partnered with ESA & Italy ASIDawn partners with Netherlands, Italy and GermanyVoyager 1 & 2 1977 leftovers that lets be honest are no longer giving us anything useful.ARTEMIS P1/P2 More bots doing what we had people doing in the 60's

its OK that other space agencies are doing science in space. Its not a competition and the more science the better in my opinion.

Everything is a competition. I'm all for any space type science. Giving up our ability to lead the game however is economic and intellectual suicide.

At the moment though, only NASA, ESA, and China are exploring beyond low earth orbit.

India would like a word with you.

* Mangalyaan /"Mars-Craft" is a Mars orbiter launched into Earth orbit on 5 November 2013 by the Indian Space Research OrganisationIf third world s-holes have caught up to our ability we are no longer relevant.

*Chandrayaan-1I'm all for science, and I'd love to love NASA again, but lack of accountability and the current anti-science administration has sucked the marrow out of it.

OnlyM3: You want to complain about this administration's rape of NASA, I'm right there with you.

You only blame the administration? I blame Congress more than the Obama Administration. Mainly because the budget cuts to NASA have been a direct result of the Democrats and Republicans in Congress not being able to agree on a budget for forever. Continuing CR's are no way to run a government, and science is especially hurt because its so little money that we spend on NASA/NSF that you need a budget to make sure everything that NASA has been told to do can get done. Then sequester happened, which is hurting things even more.

Yes, Obama is to blame for not being a champion for space exploration but Congress has one main job. Fund the government and is doing a very bad job of it.

OnlyM3: Everything is a competition. I'm all for any space type science. Giving up our ability to lead the game however is economic and intellectual suicide.

I agree, but yet NASA's budget is being slashed and planetary scientists are told to find a new line of work and the future is very bleak. Bolden has even gone on the record in saying that we can no longer afford Flagship missions. Nonsense. Utter nonsense. Unfortunately it seems that most Americans don't care about science, or see how it is relevant.

They are happy to have the fruits of science, but care not how they were made. Just glad to have them.

OnlyM3: India would like a word with you. * Mangalyaan /"Mars-Craft" is a Mars orbiter launched into Earth orbit on 5 November 2013 by the Indian Space Research Organisation If third world s-holes have caught up to our ability we are no longer relevant. *Chandrayaan-1

Yes, I forgot about India but while an oversight the idea that India has caught up with our ability is nonsense. I don't mean to belittle India's efforts, but Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan are not anywhere close to NASA's ability. For one thing Chandrayaan-1 failed to operate as long as intended, not even operating for a full year. Meanwhile LRO, which was launched almost 8 months later is still operating.

As for Mangalyaan. Mangalyaan honestly is kind of a stunt. >.> Part of the problem with Mangalyaan is that because India doesn't have more capable launch vehicles, it can only launch so much into orbit and even less to Mars. Which is why Mangalyaan rather than directly shot to Mars like MAVEN, slingshot around Earth to gain momentum since India's rockets are weak sauce. Not to mention it'll probably arrive a little later at Mars than MAVEN despite launching earlier.

The point is, MAVEN has a payload that weighs 143 lbs, while MOM only has a payload of 33 lbs. Oh, and MOM will be further away from Mars. Not that I"m saying it isn't great for India, or that they wont do some science maybe. Its just they're not as capable, and that's assuming they even get to Mars.

Other countries have tried to get to Mars on the first try too. UK Beagle 2 thanks to ESA's Mars Express, Japan's Planet-B.

Anyway, I guess my point is that NASA/JPL are far more capable at the moment than anything any other space agency can do. Yes, its uncertain whether or not that will remain true. Especially into the 2020's, and it doesn't have to be this way. We're great at science and exploring, and it costs us peanuts compared to what we get in return. Science is one of the most beneficial endeavors you can invest in.

[...] plus a bunch of other "me posting!" BS. Typical Farkers, I guess.

No one here seems to have noticed or cared, let alone discussed any of the (especially) current details and the future for the linked topic.

TFA explains the basics, but please allow me to summarize what this thread should know: Today the system mentioned in TFA is in space and is "waking up". Apparently, 11 months from now it will attempt contact with a comet.